A WARWICKSHIRE-BASED food and catering business, which specialises in supplying regional produce, has announced plans for a major investment.

Farmers Fayre is hoping to move into a new £650,000 state-of-the-art farm shop and restaurant at Stoneleigh Park.

The new 4,800 sq ft complex will feature a 50-seat restaurant, a larger shop selling a range of produce as well as a specialised meat counter.

The family-owned company, which was founded in 1998 and employs 20 staff, closed its smaller outlet in Kenilworth town centre on Friday to concentrate on its growing regional trade and the new complex.

Meanwhile the company will operate its wholesale business – which supplies restaurants and hotels – from Rumps of Warwick, led by head butcher Dave White, and continue to grow its online trade (www.farmersfayre.co.uk) which has shown a 50 per cent growth in the last 12 months.

Nicola Reece, managing director of Farmers Fayre, said the investment would cap an important six months for the company.

“This is clearly a major move for us and comes as a result of an exciting period of growth for the company.

“At the heart of all our operations is the desire to supply local, high quality produce.

“By sticking avidly to that ethos and giving a showcase to local producers, we have struck a chord with consumers.

“Our new shop and restaurant will, in line with everything we do, be of the highest quality and allow us to give our produce, and that of other suppliers, the best possible platform.

“As any retailer will tell you, this is a rapidly changing market and we believe that the new shop and restaurant will give our customers the best experience as well as moving the business forward.

“We are obviously sad to be leaving Kenilworth, but we do see a great number of our customers from there already using Stoneleigh.”

Farmers Fayre launched a new farm shop, coffee shop, restaurant and live cookery theatre at the Leekes department store in Coventry last September.

Farmers Fayre will also be looking to grow its Midshires rose veal offering and is focusing on a busy season of food shows in the year ahead to showcase its product range.

The new farm shop and restaurant is part of a major redevelopment of Stoneleigh Park.

Colin Hooper, Stone-leigh Park estates director, said: “Farmers Fayre is a real success story thanks to high quality produce and real hard work from Nicola and her team.

“Its operation here has become increasingly po-pular and we hope this move would allow the business to continue to flourish as well as attract more people to Stoneleigh.”